Cambados is a city and a municipality located in the Salnés region, the center of the Rías Bajas, in the province of Pontevedra, in Galicia (Spain).
In 2017 it was chosen as the European City of Wine.
It is known for its historical monuments, seafood and the famous white wine, Albariño.
The city is a popular part of the Rías Baixas costa of the Atlantic resorts of Spain.
Main attractions
The Palace of Fefiñanes (Fefiñáns in Galician) gives its name to the most prominent square in this town. With a classic air, it integrates a harmonious ensemble with its arcade, keep and the neighboring Church of San Benito.
It was built in the 16th century by Don Juan Sarmiento Valladares, advisor to King Felipe II and inquisitor general. It underwent new additions in the 17th century, commissioned by Don Gonzalo Sarmiento de Valladares, Viscount of Fefiñanes. Later it became the property of the Marquis of Figueroa.
Currently, the basement of the Palace houses an Albariño winery, “Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes” which is considered to be the first to bottle the wine of the area, under the “Albariño de Fefiñanes” brand, registered in 1928.
Other places of interest:
Ruins of Santa Mariña Dozo, declared a property of cultural interest in 1943.
Church of San Benito.
Torre de San Saturniño, declared a cultural asset in 1994.
Pazo de Montesacro.
‘Muiño de A Seca’ (tidal mill).
Monument to Ramon Cabanillas.
Monument to Bacchus (god of wine) (author: Francisco Leiro) in the Plaza de Ramón Cabanillas.
Monument to the scallops (Manolo Paz) in the Calzada park.
Pazo de A Capitana.
Viewpoint and hermitage of A Pastora.
Convent of San Francisco.
Chapel of The Hospital.
Pazo de Ulloa.
Pazo de Bazán (Current Parador de Turismo).
Pazo de Fajardo.
Shell house.
Pazo de Torrado.
Marine district of San Tomé of the Sea.
Barrio de Triana.
Chapel of Santa Margarita.
Statue of Manuel Fraga.
Albariño and the best restaurants
Cambados is famous for its Albariño white wine. The area is generally moist, cool and windy, contributing to the grape’s thickness and the wine’s strong aroma. It has only been within this last decade that Albariño has become world-renowned and has been grown outside of Galicia. This wine has been nicknamed “the wine of the sea”, because of its coastal vineyards and its compatibility with seafood (caused by its acidity).
There are three Michelin list restaurants in the city:
Yayo Daporta, Hospital 7, 75 – 100 EUR • Creative Cuisine (one star)
A Taberna do Trasno, Príncipe 12, 30 – 45 EUR • Traditional Cuisine
Posta do Sol, Ribeira de Fefiñans 22, 25 – 52 EUR • Seafood
Beaches
A Fontiña.
A Mouta.
Araugues.
Bico da Ran.
Con de Xido.
Do Pombal.
Espiñeiro.
Ganchino.
How to get to?
The nearest airport to Cambados is Vigo (VGO) Airport which is 35.4 km away. Other nearby airports include Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) (53.3 km), A Coruña (LCG) (94.4 km) and Porto (OPO) (142.5 km).
From Pontevedra 30 min (28.7 km) via AP-9 and AG-41
From Santiago de Compostella 48 min (58.7 km) via AP-9
From Madrid 6 hr 5 min (638 km) via A-6 and A-52
Main information
Area: 24 sq. km
GPS coordinates: 42°30′52″N 8°48′50″W
Language: Spanish, Galician
Population: 13 721
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1, in summer +2
See here best sea and ocean resorts of France and Spain (223 objects)
